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Marion County Emergency Medical Service had its busiest year on record in 2011.

Ambulance crews were called out 1,176 times. The next highest year was 2008, with 1,151 calls.

EMS Director Steve Smith said two factors played an important part in the record number of calls: demographics, and weather.

The county has an aging population, and the average age of patients for EMS is over 65. As the population grows older, it is only natural for ambulance crews to be busier, Smith said.

In addition, icy, snowy, and slick weather in the early part of the year led to more accidents than usual, he said.

Medical emergencies were responsible for most of the calls, with 301 for the year, followed by no-transports, 229; transfers, 205; falls, 138; standbys, 113; cardiac, 80; motor vehicle accidents, 69; canceled calls, 37; and other calls, 4.

First responder crews in Burns, Durham, Goessel, and Lincolnville responded to 79 calls.